Morning Watch

Morning Watch - January 25

Jan 25, 2013

Daley weighs in, sort of: Bill Daley has no words of wisdom to offer IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan as she reportedly considers a run for governor while her father remains speaker of the IL House, the Sun-Times reports. But Daley does say his relationship with his brother, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, factored into his decision not to run for state office in the past.

Political powerhouses: Amid speculation that Bill Daley and Lisa Madigan might both make a run for governor, the Sun-Times takes a look at the friendly rivalry between the two political families.

Cashing in: The former Bloomington police chief is starting a new job in Missouri, boosted by the nearly $113,000 he received from the city when he cashed out on more than 1,685 hours of unused vacation and sick time, the Pantagraph reports.

Beef up school spending: A state advisory board is recommending that Illinois lawmakers more than double education funding next year and the Illinois State Board of Education called for an increase in state spending on elementary and secondary education, the State Journal-Register reports.

Higher standards: The Illinois State Board of Education voted to raise the curve on standardized tests taken by elementary and middle school students, the State Journal-Register reports. The new standards will make it harder for students to be considered proficient in reading and math, but officials say the results will more accurately represent how prepared a student is for college or the workforce.

Bickering begins: Several would be Republican gubernatorial candidates are already telling potential voters why they would make a perfect candidate, WBEZ reports.

Keep it coming: An attorney representing retired city employees urged Mayor Rahm Emanuel to continue the 55 percent retiree health care subsidy for five more years, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Case Closed: Pension payouts continue for a retired Round Lake Beach police officer convicted of molesting an under-aged girl while off duty. The village mayor says there isn't anything that can be done to end them, the Daily Herald reports.